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lesion
Any damage to a tissue. Marks, spots, moles or other problems of the skin.
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leprosy
A progressive infectious disease that attacks the skin, flesh and nerves; characterized by nodules, ulcers, scaly scabs, deformities and the…
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lens
1. A curved glass used to bring together or spread rays of light. 2. The transparent organ lying behind the…
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Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
Perthes disease A disease in which the blood supply to the femur is reduced, causing the bone to collapse.
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lavage
Washing out of an organ, especially the stomach.
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lateral
Toward the side, sideways.
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larynx
The voice box.
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laryngitis
Inflammation of the larynx, resulting in a temporary loss of voice.
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lactose
Milk sugar.
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lactation
Secretion of milk by the breasts.
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lactase
An enzyme that converts the milk sugar lactose into glucose and galactose.
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lacrimation
Discharge of tears. “Watering” eyes.
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laceration
A wound caused by a cut from a sharp instrument or the tearing of body tissue.
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labyrinth
The system of interconnecting canals and cavities in the inner ear. Plays an important role in hearing and in…
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labia
Lip-shaped structures; often used to describe the outer folds of the female genitalia.
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knock-knee
A deformity in which the knees rub together or touch each other in walking.
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knee
The complex hinge joint of the upper and lower leg involving the femur, tibia and patella.
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kidney
A pair of organs in the upper abdominal cavity that separate the body’s water and waste products from the blood…
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ketones
The initial breakdown products of fatty acid metabolism. Unavailability of carbohydrates from starvation or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus increases the production…
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keratoconus
A deformity of the cornea in which the cornea resembles the end of a football.
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keratitis
Inflammation of the cornea of the eye.